Businesses need to move past sustainability teams and activate their entire workforce

Illustration by DALL·E 2

In 2021 I was working in my first job as an analyst at a bank. I spent my days analyzing companies' annual financial results and comparing financial figures. I liked my job, but felt the desire to do something that I personally care about. My most fulfilling day at work came when we had an Earth Day beach cleanup - suddenly the work I was doing had a tangible positive impact on our world. Happy with our effort and results, I realized what is possible! 

The office beach cleanup

I’m not alone in how I felt: according to Forbes, Millennials will make up 75% of the workforce by 2025 and the majority are looking for socially responsible employers. According to one survey, 83% would be more loyal to a company that helps them contribute to social and environmental good.

As climate awareness rises and companies try to position themselves more sustainably in the market, businesses should implement strategies which include broad action beyond a single team or unit. Each of their employees’ roles should have climate action incorporated into their regular duties. 

There are already great examples of companies that outperform competitors because of their commitment of putting the earth first and making that their competitive advantage. Probably the most famous example is Patagonia, who constantly makes legitimate action the core of their business. The quickest way to improve current operations is to get more hands working on it – and that can be done by activating all employees.

Two months after the beach cleanup, I quit my job to pursue my Masters’ degree with a focus on green business management. I also joined the core team of the Hive Initiative, a non-profit dedicated to supporting climate action at companies. Through my work with the Hive, I actually ended up back at my previous employer and led them through a workshop where everyone worked together on climate solutions for the company. Afterward the bank formed their own climate initiative to continue the work. Suddenly I was doing the work that really had an impact and mattered to me personally. 

The climate workshop

What’s my takeaway? Each of us, in each of our roles, in every level, can make working on climate change a part of our work. We don't need to get a degree for it and we don't need a special title with the word 'sustainability' in it. Simply by taking action, by being obvious about it and helping others do it too, we become engines for a better future while at the same time powering our own personal fulfilment.

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Alina Burghard can be found at Linkedin.

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Sources:
Forbes , Financial Express